Mountain Navigation & Skills Courses

The Mountain Skills (MS) courses and refresher workshops are designed to impart the necessary skills in navigation (in rain, mist or darkness) and knowledge of hazards, equipment and movement in steep ground so that an individual may be confident and in a position to safely pursue hill-walking as a hobby. It also provides the foundation training for those who wish to progress on to the national and internationally recognised leadership qualifications. If you wish to simply have a taster and learn the concepts of basic map and compass skills, then consider the single day Mountain Navigation (MN) course. All courses are Mountaineering Ireland(MI)/Bord Oiliuint Sleibhe(BOS) approved unless otherwise stated.

All courses are directed by Adrian Hendroff, a member of the Mountain Training Association (MTA). Adrian is Garda Vetted and has up-to-date Rescue and Emergency Care (REC3) first aid and Cardiac (AED) First Responder certificates.

Client Feedback:
"You were so patient and calm. I learned so much" - Teena Gates
"A finely crafted series of practical exercises to effectively embed basic key skills in navigation and hill walking" - John Hennessy
"I finally know where I am going all thanks to you!” - Christine Mulligan
"I completed MS1 and MS2 with Adrian, who is a very skilled and committed trainer, and goes the extra mile to ensure that all aspects of the course are thoroughly covered" - Frank O'Keeffe
"I'm delighted with what I have learned and I am ready to head off next weekend for some serious exploring!!" - Nuala Watters

Group size: For MS courses, Student:Instructor ratios are strictly a maximum 6:1 in order for students to get the most out of an instructor during training. If you wish for training to be provided for larger numbers, please contact Adrian directly. The maximum group size in any event is 12. For MN courses, the minimum and maximum numbers are given below.

Booking: Dates of courses will be updated on this page from time to time. The courses below can also be provided anywhere in Ireland for either a club or a private group upon request given a minimum of 14 days notice. To book or arrange a course, please fill the booking form below with a given date OR you may also propose a date that suits you or your group. Payment details and availability will be sent to you upon receipt of the booking form. No payment is required until a course is guaranteed to run. Please review Terms & Conditions prior to booking by clicking here: Booking Terms Training

Insurance and liability: Adrian Hendroff is covered by a comprehensive public liability policy. However, personal cancellation, personal accident or personal equipment insurance is NOT provided or included in the course fee.

Mountain navigation taster course (Not MI/BOS approved)Duration: 1 dayCourse Summary: Learn the basics on how to navigate using a map and compass! This is a great course for beginners to wish to learn the basics of mountain navigation and do not wish to undertake the official Mountain Skills programme. We'll spend time indoors and outdoors to hone your skills and boost your confidence levels so that you can give it a go yourself! It's a great day's out, whatever the weather, in some of the very best mountain areas of Ireland. Group and corporate bookings are very welcomed!Price: €75.00pp (Rep of Ireland), £65.00pp (Northern Ireland)Group Size: Minimum 4, Maximum 10 (for Wicklow based courses), Minimum 6, Maximum 10 (for courses based outside Wicklow, e.g. Mournes, Kerry or Connemara)Typical Course Schedule: 9.30am to 5.30pmDates/Locations:
2015 dates up soon
Other dates/locations may be arranged on request

MS 1 (MI/BOS approved)Duration: 2 daysSyllabus: Introduction, maps, mapsetting, contour features, distance estimation, navigation techniques, depiction of relief, mountain hazards, personal equipment, pacing and timing, feature recognition, grid references, introduction to compass, route card, mountain environment (access, flora, fauna, geology, placenames), Leave No Trace, mountain weatherFormat: 2 full-day hillwalks, group talks and discussion, feedback and debriefPrice: €120.00 pp (Price includes official MI/BOS MS Logbook - this is worth €10 plus €1.50 postage), non-residential
If you book as a Group of 4 the price is €110pp
If you book as a Group of 5-6 the price is €100ppStudent:Instructor ratio: 6:1Course schedule: Saturday, 9.15am to approx. 6pm and Sunday, 9am to approx. 5pmDates/Locations:
Other dates/locations may be arranged on request

MS 2 (MI/BOS approved)Duration: 2 daysSyllabus: MS 1 navigation consolidation, compass work, route planning, navigation techniques, feature recognition, emergency procedures, night navigation, mountain rescue, mountain hypothermia, steep/broken ground movement skills, MSA advice, MSA sample written paperFormat: 2 full-day hillwalks including a 3-4 hour night navigation session, group talks and discussion, feedback and debriefPrice: €150.00 pp (In-course taxi fares on Day 1 included), non-residentialStudent:Instructor ratio: 6:1
If you book as a Group of 4 the price is €140pp
If you book as a Group of 5-6 the price is €130ppCourse schedule: Depends on month of year: The night nav on Day 1 is typically 3 to 4 hours duration and the start time on Day 2 depends on what time we finish on Day 1, and on consensus with the group.Dates/Locations:
Sat/Sun 17/18 September 2016 Wicklow Mountains - LIMITED SPACES
Other dates/locations may be arranged on request

Mountain Skills refresher workshop (Not MI/BOS approved)Duration: 1 or 2 days, based on the needs of the group or individualSyllabus: Covers all aspects of the Mountain Skills 1 and 2 syllabus based on the needs of the group or individual. Useful for those who intend to refresh their skills prior to a Mountain Skills assessment. Workshops options are:
(a) Navigation + Night Navigation (Full Day, taxi fare included in price)
(b) 3/4 Day Steep Ground + 1/4 Day Navigation (Full Day)
When booking please state option (a) or (b) under 'Additional Information'Format: 1 or 2 hillwalks, group talks and discussion, feedback and debriefPrice: All non-residential
€100.00 pp per day for groups of 1 to 2
€90.00 pp per day for groups of 3 to 4
€80.00 pp per day for groups of 5 to 6
€150.00 pp for 2 daysStudent:Instructor ratio: 6:1Dates/Locations: May be arranged on request

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